CMA's Vision & Mission

Our Vision

We envision the Center for Multicultural Affairs fostering an environment within the Bridgewater State University community that promotes the celebration of cultural pluralism. We strive to create a sensitive community that appreciates the history, culture and traditions of under-served students at Bridgewater State University. The Center for Multicultural Affairs believes in the positive relationship between multiculturalism and student success. The Center for Multicultural Affairs fosters cross-divisional collaborations that promote student success.

Our Mission

Bridgewater State University's Center for Multicultural Affairs' (CMA) primary mission is to promote inclusion and student success by providing programs and services that assist and support underrepresented students and enrich the academic, cultural, and social experience of all students.

To carry out this mission CMA does the following:

Connects under-represented students with the academic, social, personal, and other support services they need as they transition to Bridgewater and the college setting.
Offers programs, events, celebrations, discussions and workshops that promote cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity that will prepare all students to live in our global society and among diverse populations based on mutual respect for similarities and differences.
Serves as a resource for faculty, staff and community members who want to understand, address and support the needs of students of color.
Provides a supportive environment and a safe space on campus where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to relax, share their experiences and celebrate their diversity.
Assists with the recruitment of diverse students through active participation in College recruitment programs such as Saturdays at Bridgewater.
Provides expertise and assistance to college initiatives focused on retention of under-represented students.
Supports the Office of Institutional Diversity’s efforts to implement programs and practices that promote cultural pluralism.

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Our Strategic Plan

Transformative Change

An emerging trend in higher education is the transformation of multicultural centers from social outlets for under-represented students to centers that intentionally promote student success. Centers for Multicultural Affairs achieve this goal by providing the following opportunities: leadership development, academic success, the opportunity for students to develop a deeper understanding of their identity and cultural development. Bridgewater State University’s Center for Multicultural Affairs is positioned to implement the following programs and resources that promote student success:

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Strategic Goals

Expand initiatives that promote retention and engagement for Nellie Mae Students.
Enhance the retention and leadership opportunities for Brown and Black males.
Modify the CMA infrastructure to promote engaged student learning.
Increase support for physical space that supports student success in the informal classroom.

2009-2010

Establish Unity Week during Black History Month – CMA will develop the framework and students will develop programs for 2 days during Unity Week.
Establish a voluntary Multicultural Student Advisor Planning Committee that meets regularly to offer support to ethnic student organization advisors.
Work with faculty to establish Jewish Heritage Celebrations.
Intentionally work with Afro Am Alumni to develop opportunities to increase the group’s interaction with students.
Incorporate the development of guardianship – like relationships with Nellie Mae students as part of CMA Staff Orientation.
Increase the number of first-year students enrolled in the LINKS Program by 10% from 2008-2009 to 2009-2010.
Advocate for additional space as renovations are made to the Campus Center.

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2010-2011

Enhancing institutional focus on Brown and Black male student success with the development of The Bridgewater State University Institute for Male Student Success. The institute will collaborate with Project Compass and DIRI to develop institutional resources that provide intentional opportunities for male students of color to be mentored by male faculty and staff.
Host an annual male student success summit at BSU that will invite student affairs professionals and faculty from CONNECT institutions and colleges receiving Nellie Mae grants to engage in discussion regarding best practices for the recruitment, retentions and success of male students of color.
Increase the number of first-year students enrolled in the LINKS Program by 10% from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011.
Co-sponsor an institutional Jewish Heritage celebration with faculty, staff and students.
Incorporate Afro Am Alumni’s “Dress for Success” in the CMA frameworks.
Recruit a committee to plan and execute the second annual Unity Week celebration.
Regular voluntary meetings with Multicultural Student Advisor Planning Committee members.